Question on importance of a manometer

[mets123]

How important is it to check to make sure your machines pressure is correct with a manometer? If important how often should it be done?

[Bigmike52]

IMO, since I have Sleepyhead software and my numbers are good, I would have no reason to be concerned, therefore no reason to check.

[LSAT]

In 10 years..never checked.

[mets123]

That was my thought as well. Saw this item on a cpap website that recommended checking annually. Didn't believe it.

[Pugsy]

Been over 9 years....never checked any of my machines with manometer. Never felt the need.
If I did feel the need....I would first try making my own DIY manometer before forking out dollars for one.

[Wulfman...]

IMO, since I have Sleepyhead software and my numbers are good, I would have no reason to be concerned, therefore no reason to check.

Sleepyhead is only going to report the pressure your machine is set to. Just because it SAYS it's putting out NN cm, doesn't mean it actually is.

After I got my gauge manometer in 2011, I found that a couple of my machines were not putting out what their setting was.
In the case of one of my APAPs, I found it was putting out 3.5 cm. higher than the setting. A couple of others were about .5 cm. off. But, if you look at your manuals, the manufacturers use a plus-or-minus 1.0 cm. "fudge factor".

In any case, I typically check one or two of the machines I'm using about once a year. I considered my investment in the manometer well worth it.

If you just want to spot check them occasionally, use "the bucket of water and ruler method".


Den

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[D.H.]

If you do happen to have one, then do test your equipment annually. Otherwise, you probably don't need to worry.

[Goofproof]

If you use the data to find your correct treatment pressure, the machine setting number doesn't matter, as long as the machine is set to the pressure that works best for you, the shown number is just for bragging rights. Jim

[mets123]

That’s so true goofproof

[Bigmike52]

Sleepyhead is only going to report the pressure your machine is set to. Just because it SAYS it's putting out NN cm, doesn't mean it actually is.



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I am not concerned about a "manometer test" as long as I continue having <1.00 AHI readings. My useless Cpap clutter closet is almost at capacity.

[ChicagoGranny]

Never-checker. 8 years. Very low AHI.

An auto machine does not adjust to a pressure number. It adjusts to maintain airway patency. (If you have your pressure settings correct.)

[Wulfman...]

Not everybody is that blissful.

search.php?keywords=manometer

I've seen any number of posts on the forum where the user has switched to a different machine (brand/model/generation) of machine and wondered why their reported numbers are so much different than they had been. If your machine is set to "some setting" and is actually putting out several centimeters more pressure than that, of course your reports are going to look better. And, on the other side, they're going to be worse. Doesn't make any difference if it's straight pressure or variable.
My most glaring example was with an APAP (purchased as "previously owned" from a forum member)......and at any pressure setting.

It doesn't cost anything to use the bucket of water and ruler method. Other homemade ones are very inexpensive to build, also.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4506&p=37259&hilit= ... ter#p37259

Den

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